These courses are intended as guidelines. Speak to your guidance counsellor to see what courses are offered at your school.
Requirements that apply:
1. A diploma equivalent to the Dutch pre-university VWO-diploma
- Alberta High School Diploma with at least five grade 12 general academic courses with course codes 30, 30-1 or 31, all completed with a final grade of at least 75% per course.
- British Columbia - Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood diploma) with at least five Grade 12 academic subject courses* with a final grade of at least 75% per course.
*accepted subjects: All Languages*, Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, History, Geography, Geology, Economics, Philosophy, Political Studies.
Please note that offshore schools are considered case-by-case.
- Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma with at least five academic (ACAD) or advanced (ADV) grade 12 courses, with a final grade of at least 75% per course.
- Quebec: Diplôme d’Études Collégiales (DEC) including the Préuniversitaire (2 years)
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with at least six Grade 12 University Preparatory Courses (4U or DU) and no grade lower than 75%*
2. A sufficient GPA
PPE is a small-scale and intensive programme. We are looking for a Grade Point Average on your secondary school diploma that is equivalent to = 7.0 in the Dutch grading system. Also see the section on 'selection criteria'.
For examples of accepted minimum GPA's you can check our PPE diploma list. Is your diploma not included? Then first check if your diploma meets our diploma requirements.
3. Proof of sufficient proficiency in English
All courses in the PPE programme are conducted in English and, since the student community is highly international, most conversation and socialising occurs in English as well. Consequently, we require an English language test for all applications, unless you qualify for an exemption. You can already begin your application before you have completed the test and then submit your passing score once you have been conditionally admitted. You can find all accepted tests and scores on the language requirements page.
4. Proof of sufficient proficiency in Mathematics
The courses in our programme use a significant amount of mathematics and even though we provide mathematics training in the methods courses, this training moves at a fast pace. In our experience we have found that a minimum level of prior mathematics proficiency is required. The International Office will determine whether your mathematics level is sufficient.
For the mathematics requirement you will need to to show proof of completing the Dutch 'VWO Mathematics A or B' or a foreign equivalent.